About SDL Car Parts
SDL Car Parts has been a family-run business for over 45 years, growing to become one of the UK’s leading distributors of replacement parts for cars and vans. Established in 1978, the company offers a full all-makes programme covering European, American, Japanese and Korean vehicles, alongside an extensive range of motor oils, garage equipment and consumables.
Today, SDL Car Parts operates from 14 branches across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Yorkshire, employing more than 400 people and completing 1.2 million deliveries a year. Reliability and quality sit at the heart of the business – keeping vehicles on the move, businesses running, and families connected to the people and places that matter to them.
Launching the Minorfern Foundation
The Matthew Good Foundation helped SDL Car Parts launch the company’s new giving vehicle – the Minorfern Foundation – in 2024, supporting the business through every step of setting up their own charitable giving programme from scratch.
The aim to give away £40,000 annually to small, local charities came from SDL Car Parts’ 45th anniversary. As a people-focussed, family-run business, the company wanted to mark the milestone by giving back to the communities it serves – while giving employees a direct say in where that support goes.
Employees put forward the charities they wanted to see considered, and the Foundation led on shortlisting and due diligence processes, along with the comms and PR support. After the first two years, SDL Car parts where then able to run the programme independently with confidence.
2024 & 2025 At a Glance
Local organisations supported
Awarded over 2 years
Amplify Films produced by MGF
In Their Words
“The Minorfern Foundation is more than a charitable initiative to SDL Car parts; it reflects who we are as a family business. By supporting local charities and community projects, we have created a positive impact beyond our branches while giving our people a genuine sense of pride, purpose, and connection. We have had some exciting adventures along the way, to Ben Nevis, The Three Peaks, and other various challenges to support the contribution from the business. We have also forged strong connections with some of these charities that I believe will only grow stronger. In the first year of this project the support from the Matthew Good foundation was invaluable and only supported our success.”
How the Programme Worked
Programme Design
The Foundation worked closely with SDL Car Parts to design a programme that would be deliverable and impactful for both charities and employees.
Nominations
At the start of each year, staff from every SDL Car Parts branch nominated local charities close to their hearts.
Shortlisting
SDL Car Parts and Matthew Good Foundation teams worked together to carry out initial due diligence and shortlist the charities making the biggest impact in their communities. In 2024, ten charities were shortlisted to receive £4,000 each, with a similar model in 2025.
Due Diligence
The Matthew Good Foundation carried out a more in-depth due diligence stage with each chosen charity, including video calls, references and other checks, before grants were approved.
Visit Facilitation
The Foundation arranged introductions and visits so SDL Car Parts employees could meet the causes they’d supported. The Foundation arranged their big cheque print, and attended some of the meetings.
Communications Support
SDL Car Parts received ready-to-use communications throughout the programme including three press releases (resulting in local news and TV coverage), PDF annual reviews, mid-programme funding announcements, and social posts – plus further comms support as needed.
Minorfern Foundation’s Grant Recipients
Ashbourne Animal Welfare
Ashbourne Animal Welfare operates The Ark Rescue and Rehoming Centre, providing care and new homes for unwanted and stray cats and dogs. Since forming in 1988, the charity has supported more than 10,000 animals through rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary treatment and adoption services. Based in Derbyshire, The Ark offers purpose-built
PACT
PACT - the Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia - supports families of children with cancer across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, and North East Lincolnshire. Based at Sheffield Children's Hospital, the charity provides practical, emotional, and social support throughout a child's treatment and beyond. From emergency accommodation
Forever Stars
Forever Stars is a Nottingham-based charity supporting families who have experienced stillbirth, neonatal death, or infant loss. Founded in 2014, the charity provides dedicated bereavement spaces within NHS hospitals, a community centre, a remembrance garden, and therapeutic services for bereaved siblings. All support is available to parents, wider family
Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice is a charity providing palliative and end-of-life care to adults in central and southern Derbyshire. It supports people living with life-limiting illness, as well as their families, from the point of diagnosis through to bereavement. Services are delivered both in the community and from the hospice's base
YMCA Barnsley
YMCA Barnsley is an independent local charity that has supported children, young people, and families in Barnsley since 1857. It delivers ten programmes each year, reaching more than 1,300 children through over 800 sessions. Activities include youth clubs, sports, detached outreach, and environmental projects - all designed to build
The Elm Foundation
The Elm Foundation is a Derbyshire-based charity providing specialist support to people affected by domestic abuse. It works with adults, children, and young people across Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, and parts of Amber Valley regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, or immigration status. Its services include
Pathways
Pathways is Chesterfield’s primary centre for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. The service provides housing advice and support, access to essential services, mentoring, and activities to support wellbeing. Each year, Pathways helps around 880 people in need, including around 280 individuals who secure housing,
Gussies Pantry
Gussies Pantry, part of Gussies Community in Chesterfield, supports local residents experiencing food insecurity while fostering connections and community engagement. Through its pantry shop, jumble shop, and community events, the project reaches households in need, providing access to affordable food, social spaces, and practical resources. Volunteers drive much of
Wildlings
Wildlings is a nature-focused early years setting that combines indoor and outdoor learning to support children’s development. Set across a bright hall and ancient woodland, it provides a safe space where children can explore, play, and grow at their own pace. The setting’s ethos encourages curiosity, resilience, and care
Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity
Founded in memory of Andrea Key, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) has spent over two decades providing expert, compassionate support to people across Yorkshire affected by brain tumours. Through peer networks, wellbeing events, and financial help, they’re there for families when it matters most. YBTC also funds ground-breaking research
News from Minorfern Foundation
Minorfern Foundation closes second year with £40,000 granted to eleven local charities.
The Minorfern Foundation has completed its second year of charitable giving, awarding £40,000 in unrestricted grants to eleven organisations across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Yorkshire. This brings the total distributed since the Foundation’s launch in 2024 to £80,000 – supporting twenty-one organisations across the regions where SDL Car Parts operates.
Minorfern Foundation launches second year with three local charity grants
The Minorfern Foundation begins its second year of charitable giving, awarding grants to three grassroots charities nominated by SDL Car Parts employees, supporting people-led projects making a local impact.
SDL Minorfern launches charitable foundation to target funding at local charitable organisations.
Family-owned vehicle parts distributor, SDL Minorfern has teamed up with the Matthew Good Foundation to launch the Minorfern Foundation, which will award grants to local charities and community groups.